British Trust for Ornithology

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IMPORTANT Unbiased Recruitment and Making an Application

As part of our commitment to reduce bias in our hiring process and improve equity of opportunity, diversity and inclusion in BTO, we use a recruitment system that enables Unbiased Recruitment. This involves using a standard application form and a system that removes details that may reveal a person's gender identity, race, religion, or socioeconomic background. We do not accept CVs or cover letters for this reason. If the application system is a barrier to applying, please email recruitment@bto.org to discuss alternatives with the People Team.

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We recognise that candidates from minority ethnic groups are under-represented in our organisation, and that there are often additional barriers present for people from these groups when applying for roles in the charity sector and beyond. We are committed to taking positive action to expand the diversity of our staff team, and if you meet the essential criteria for a role and are from a minority ethnic group, you'll be guaranteed a first stage interview.

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Job Details

Job Title: Science Programme Lead - Research
Job Reference: KS1605694TheSPLR
Location: Thetford, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Salary: £65907.00 to £65907.00

SCIENCE PROGRAMME LEAD - RESEARCH
Thetford
Full time, Permanent
£65,907 per annum + 11% employer pension contribution

We are seeking a dynamic individual with strong people skills and ecological research background to provide leadership across BTO’s research programme, and to work as a small team of senior science leads to support the Director of Science leading BTO’s Science Department. The post will oversee the line management of a number of existing science heads of team, and work collaboratively with many others to achieve strategic and operational goals. The role requires demonstrable experience in supporting, motivating, and leading experienced teams and excellent people management and influencing skills. It will also require experience in developing strategic vision, setting measures of success, securing funding, and ensuring delivery of multiple and often complex projects. The post holder will need skills in, and a passion for, communicating internally and externally; and a background in leading ecological research. Although primarily a management role, there will be opportunities to oversee project development, management and delivery of ecological research projects, and particularly to use the postholder's technical skills to provide strategic and cross-cutting leadership to relevant areas across the BTO. The postholder will be responsible overall for teams comprising over 40 staff and directly line manage the Head of Terrestrial Ecology, Head of Wetland and Marine, Head of Dispersed Threats and Head of Statistical teams. Ideally, the postholder will be based out of the BTO HQ in Thetford, but we would, for the right candidate, consider staff working out of the BTO offices in Stirling, Bangor or Lisburn, near Belfast. You will be able to work from home part of the time on a hybrid working regime and flexible start and finish times can also be accommodated to ensure a good work-life balance.

You can read the full role description by clicking on the role description under 'supporting documents' in the job details on our careers page. Please contact us if you are not sure if you meet all the criteria for the role and would like to discuss the role in more detail. Please note that, if you are the successful candidate, you will be required to provide documentary evidence of your right to live and work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

WHAT WE OFFER

£65,907 per annum
Annual Leave: 25 days per year (plus bank holidays), increasing with service
Paid 'journey days' (up to 2 days)
Annual team away days
Life assurance
11% employer pension contribution
Employee Assistance Programme
Enhanced sick pay and family leave
Health cash plan
Retail discounts through MyLifestyle.
Cycling friendly employer- gold accredited
Cycle to work scheme
Discounts on BTO books, Bird care from Vine House Farm and Opticron
Free access to BTO training courses
Flexible working
Free eye tests and a contribution of £49 towards prescription glasses for VDU use only.
Free car parking
Effective job evaluation policy
Coaching and mentoring scheme
Commitment to creating an inclusive environment and sustainability

Closing date for receipt of applications is 23:59, 9 July 2026 and Interviews will be held on 24 and 27 July in Thetford.

If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@bto.org

If you have a disability or long-term illness that otherwise prevents you from meeting any of the essential criteria, please contact us to discuss whether a reasonable adjustment could be made. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the vacancy. We recognise that candidates from minority ethnic groups are under-represented in our organisation, and that there are often additional barriers present for people from these groups when applying for roles in the charity sector and beyond. We are committed to taking positive action to expand the diversity of our staff team, and if you meet the essential criteria for a role and are from a minority ethnic background, you'll be guaranteed a first stage interview.

In cases where we receive a very high volume of applications, we may need to limit the number of Guaranteed Interview Scheme candidates progressing to interview.

Charity No. 216652 (E&W); SC039193 (Scotland)